Holding Trailer Doors Open Using Plungers or Hook and Keeper Holders

Published 04/06/2012

Products Featured in This Question

Plunger and Nylon Socket Door Holder - 2" Long Plunger

(225)

$20.89

T-Style Hook and Keeper Door Holder for Trailer Rear or Side Door - 4" Hook - Zinc Plated

(340)

$14.17

Question:

I have trailers that I need door holders. They are 16’ trailers with a side man-door and barn door rear doors. The issue I have is that there is an awning that deploys on the curb side so when the man-door is opened it would hit into the awning arm. We have a strap that when it opens it keeps it from hitting the awning, but there is no way to keep the door open. I need some way to hold the door at a 45 degree angle so the wind does not slam it shut on people. I have the same issue with the rear barn doors. The street side is no problem since it can swing all the way open and latches to the side of the trailer. The curb side has basically the same issue as the man-door that it cannot open all the way to latch against the side of the trailer due to the awning, so we have a strap to prevent it from opening all the way. The result is that I have a large door that needs to be secured in the open position 90 degrees from where it was opened and 45 degrees from the street side of the trailer.

asked by: Scott S

Expert Reply:

Regarding the man door and the awning, is there any way that you can attach the plunger style holder, # DH605, to the support are for the awning that is causing the interference? Otherwise, you could use something like the hook and keeper, # 383400. If they were placed near the door hinges you could probably configure it to hold the door open where it will not interfere or shut. The same thing for the rear barn doors.

The stress on the door keepers would be greater the closer they are to the hinges. Using more than one per door would reduce the stress.

expert reply by: Michael H